Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the perpetuation of the killing of innocent souls and propagation of hateful rhetoric will make Nigerians unable to fully appreciate the love from God.
He stated this in his Eid-el-Kabir message titled, “Eid-el-Kabir is a reminder of what we must do to heal Nigeria”.
In the message he shared via his verified Facebook page, the former presidential candidate said Sallah is a season to “give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives as individuals and families to celebrate this significant festival of sacrifice”.
He added that, “Eid-el-Kabir teaches and reminds us of the meaning of sacrifice, love and forbearance with God and in our relationships with one another.
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“As Muslims more especially, Eid-el-Kabir and the stories of Prophets Ibrahim and Ishmael (Peace and Blessings of Allah be with them) that accompany it requires that we take the whole of humanity as one nation.”
According to him, the significance of the celebration today is rooted in peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and tolerance.
“These are the virtues that we, as Nigerians, need to imbibe as we seek to heal our country of all shades of mistrust.
“According to the teachings of Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the slaughtering of animals in celebration of this festival is to evoke and reinforce the consciousness of God in all our deeds and wishes.
“We would not be able to fully appreciate the love from God if we allow killing of the innocent souls and propagation of hateful rhetoric become a norm amongst us,” Atiku noted.
“As I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on this year’s Eid el-Kabir, may I remind you of our beloved Prophet’s saying that ‘no nation is superior to the other. But the best amongst you is the one with the best piety to Allah’,” the former Vice President added.